Pontypridd braced for crunch test

Pontypridd face their British & Irish Cup D-Day on Saturday at Sardis Road with a home semi-final tie against reigning tournament champions Leinster A. (KO 2:30pm).

Qualification to the final will be incentive enough to win, but in the knowledge also that a home draw in that round is guaranteed with the result.

Irish provincial giants Leinster A will come to Pontypridd on top form and with a daunting reputation, having won all their qualifying pool games and then seeing off rivals Munster A by 47-15 in the quarter finals. Ponty meanwhile just edged qualification from a tough Pool 2 and then gained a narrow 14-16 quarter final away win at Cornish Pirates.

Pontypridd and Leinster have met three times previously in the BIC, the result going with home advantage on each occasion. In the quarter final round of the 2011 - 2012 tournament Leinster registered a comprehensive 34-0 victory in Dublin. At the qualifying stage the following season Ponty edged a 25-23 win at Sardis Road but then lost away at Donnybrook by 21-9.

This week on the Principality Premiership Podcast, WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie talks to Carmarthen Quins head coach Louie Tonkin who is aiming to close the gap on leading duo, Pontypridd and Ebbw Vale, with victory against Bridgend tomorrow.

Christmas has come early at Glynneath rugby club, one of a number around Wales who have received an array of merchandise and equipment this December courtesy of the Welsh Rugby Union's £750,000 participation points scheme.
The WRU have been delivering on the scheme - which gives individual clubs access to up to £5,000 worth of supplies and equipment each for the 2014/2015 season - over the last two weeks and today (Friday) were received by a special guest in Glynneath, club president and pitch marker Max Boyce.

The Welsh Rugby Union has signed a new four year deal with specialist equipment supplier Rhino Rugby, which is set to benefit both the grass roots game in Wales and the national squad in equal measure.

We watch the new grass growing and being stitched together in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We speak to Millennium Stadium groundsman Lee Evans, Wales great Ieuan Evans gives an overview on the new strategy announced by head of rugby Josh Lewsey, while we also hear from Bedwas, Aberavon and Carmarthen Quins in the Principality Premiership.

Wales assistant coach Rob Howley was welcomed with open arms by the staff and players at Crymych recently when he hosted a training session in memory of former club captain and coach, Glyndwr Richards.

We hear about the WRU's annual report and some exciting new plans for schools and clubs round Wales in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. WRU finance director Steve Phillips explains the money side, while head of rugby Josh Lewsey explains his new strategy for schools and clubs. We also get reaction from all round Wales.